Spain Book Ticket To Russia With 3-0 Win Over Albania

Spain team applaud at the end of the World Cup 2018 qualifier football match Spain vs Albania at the Jose Rico Perez stadium in Alicante on October 6, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / JOSE JORDAN (Photo credit should read JOSE JORDAN/AFP/Getty Images)

As expected, many of the nearly 30,000 fans in the crowd in the southeastern city of Alicante booed Pique almost every time he touched the ball. But many applauded the outspoken Barcelona defender, and he even got a standing ovation by some when he was substituted early in the second half.

He also applauded the fans as he left the field, and later part of the crowd chanted his name while he sat in the stands.

Pique has been criticized by Spanish fans for being openly critical of the Spanish government’s handling of the independence referendum organized by Catalonia on Sunday, when authorities and voters confronted each other in violent clashes.

Pique, who has long defended the Catalans, was harassed by fans at Spain’s training camp in Madrid on Monday, with many calling him to leave the national team. He pledged his commitment to Spain’s squad a few days later, and said he hoped Alicante fans would not jeer him because of his stance on the Catalonia issue. He is often booed when Spain plays outside of Catalonia.

“Pique was calm throughout the match,” Rodrigo said. “Everybody respects each other here, and he is a very important player for this national team.”

Pique will not play on Monday in Israel because of a yellow card suspension.

Spain was in control from the start in Alicante, with Rodrigo opening the scoring in the 16th minute with a left-footed shot from inside the area after a well-placed pass by Isco. Rodrigo controlled the ball with his chest before finding the top corner with a half-volley for his first international goal.

Isco added to the lead four minutes later with a shot into the top of the net for his fifth goal in seven qualifiers, and Thiago Alcantara closed the scoring 10 minutes later with a driving header after a right cross by Alvaro Odriozola, who was making his debut at right back.

Spain was without Andres Iniesta, Dani Carvajal, and Alvaro Morata because of injuries.

An Englishman that is a coach and analyst within the youth academy of a Spanish club whilst studying Sports Coaching.
Obsessive over the tactical concepts of the European game, Alex regularly attends games in the La Liga, Bundesliga and Serie A.